嘉南平原沿山地區之族群關係(1700-1900)：以「阿里山番租」為例

Abstract

Ethnic research has been a topic of much interest in the academia. However, ethnic studies on the uncivilized aboriginal (shengfan) territories outside Taoyuan, Hsinchu and Miaoli have been relatively scarce. Ethnic relationships in these regions had become complicated with the migration of the Hans or civilized aborigines (shufan). In the 1860s, the Qing government began putting up Tu-niu boundary epitaphs (tu niu xin jie) all over Taiwan, clearly demarcating territories under Qing rule. Nevertheless, neither the aborigines nor the Han immigrants respect such delineation, and continued to migrate and reclaim, occupy and station in the Qing territories. This paper analyzes the interaction between ethnic groups in the hillside areas of Jia Nan Plain, a frontier region remote in geographical location and distant from government rule. The paper also examines how the almost self-autonomous immigrants negotiated with the local Alishan aborigines (Alishan fan) to establish their new living space. During Qing rule, Alishan aborigines included both the upper tribes (ding si she) and the lower tribes (xia si she). In today's Alishan township, Jiayi County, the tribes to the north of Xin Mei Village are called North Zou; while those to the south are called South Zou. However, in Qing era, Alishan fun tsu (i.e., pacification rent paid to Alishan aborigines) was collected from regions along the eastern border of Jia Nan Plain, stretching from Zhushan Township of Nantou County through Gukeng Township of Yunlin County, all the way to Baihe Township and Nanxi Township of Tainan County. The huge area covered indicated the vast living space and territories of Alishan aborigines. Alishan fun zu played an important role in ethnic relationship. By reviewing the Sotokufu database, gazetteers, travelogues, ancient literature and related survey data, this study explores how the Hans immigrants came in contact, interacted and established relationships with the local ethnic groups. It was found that the interaction between these ethnic groups was complex and complicated. Nevertheless, the Han-aboriginal relationship was stable and peaceful thanks to the system of Alishan fun zu. Hence, there was no need for military communities to be established for self-defense. Findings of this study not only shed light on the interaction between ethnic groups, but also on the changes in living space of Alishan aborigines under Qing rule, which can serve as the basis for research on social development in the hillside areas of Jia Nan Plain.